Story 2 - Love is to Trust

Jiju, will you stop lying to my didi. Oh c'mon i myself saw that girl in your arms. And you stroking her hair sitting at India Gate. Ruchi, please will you shut up, is this the way you have been taught to speak to elders, Riya shouted at her younger sibling. Riya, i am going to my room, my head is aching very badly Sudhir complained. Riya rushed to her husband aide and as he lied down on bed, quitely swtiched on the AC and closed the doors behind her.

Didi, you are a dumb ass, in this era of modern woman, it is only because of females like you, man like Sudhir are able to cheat and also get away with it easily. I am ashamed to be called you sister. Bang!, and Ruchi left. The sun was about to set, with bird returning their home after a day's of hard work. With a heavy heart she went to kitchen to start cooking the dinner. Sudhir likes fish curry. I will cook some today. On one stove she kept some white rice for boiling and sat on a chair to marinate the fish.

Sudhir, my head is spinning badly please i need some medicine. Riya my love come here, come to me, lie down on my lap and let me stroke your hair. Oh will that make my headache go. Sudhir looking hurt said, Riya you don't trust me? She smiled and put her head on his lap and sat down near his feet. Sudhir gently hummed a beautiful bengali song and stroked ever so gently Riya's long tresses until he could hear breath going heavy and she slumbering off. Sudhir gently picked Riya and made her lie down on bed. Around 11 pm when Riya woke up; hear headache was gone, she saw Sudhir was lying near him and looking at her. He gave her a glass of milk to drink; and started stroking her hair again. Riya had the most peaceful sleep that night.

Whistle from the cooker made Riya jump on the chair and the marinated fish almost fell to the ground. Sudhir in knick of time caught it and gave it to Riya. He saw her eyes were brimming with big tears. Riya my love, Sudhi just give me a few minutes i will be back. And she locked herself in the loo, allowing tears of hurt to flow freely. When she came out; Sudhir was laying down the food on the table and gleefully said, Hey Riya you had marinated the fish well, even my cooking had made it tastier, come let us eat. I am not hungry Sudhir, why what happened. I am having a headache. Oh come sit near me i will make it vanish. How Sudhir by stroking my hair as you were doing today at India gate with that girl. Sudhir heart missed a beat, with hurt in his eyes he looked at his wife, Riya you don't trust me. I dont know Sudhir, i am going to catch some sleep. Good night.

The next morning, Riya woke up and saw a note near her bed. One of the old habits of Sudhir to leave such note when he had to leave to office early. But it was only 6 am!. Riya i have some work in office, will be late in night. Love Sudhir. She tore the note apart and went to sleep again. It was almost 11 am when Riya woke up. She went to kitchen to get herself a cup of tea. As she neared the fridge to take out milk; she saw a note sticking there. She sat down to read it on the table.

My dear Riya, your anger is justified about me; but what is not is your distrust in me. In this last 11 years of our marriage i never ever lied to you. But you chose to believe your sister acquisition without listening to my side of story. I know you will not listen to me; so this is the only mode of communication i thought you will allow me to be heard. Riya, do you remember when we first met, near the bus stop it was raining heavily in mumbai. You were soaked from head to toe and was trying to cover yourself by some books in your hand. Slowly we started meeting and we got married. Many years passed, Riya. I always thought of us starting a family but you use to always refuse. We shifted to Delhi, as you didn't liked in Mumbai. One day I received an email, from someone, who was wanting to meet me. She said she is someone from the past. That was the first time i met her. She had lovely black eyes; and long silky tresses like you Riya. We sat over a cup of coeffe and from that day I use to always see her on a daily basis. I am sorry i didn't reveal this to you. I was not sure about it Riya until yesterday. But now i am sure. When i told her about the incident at our house she insisted on meeting you. I couldn't refuse. I believe it is time for things to be clear for everyone's betterment. Life is too short Riya to spend in distrust and unhappiness. Your's Sudhir.

Numbed by the letter of Sudhir's confession to his cheating, Riya got up and went to take bath. She didn't took off her clothes just sat down beneath the running tap water. Her tears mixing with running water hours passed. The tap dried, a sudden chill made Riya come back to her senses. She got up, changed her clothes and wore a white saari. she didn't dressed her usual colorful self. Today there were no colors in her life. She then sat near the mandir in the house and closed her eyes in prayer.

Riya, riya, get up. Sudhir was standing near her. Oh! how much time is it. It is about to be 7, what you have not eaten anything since morning, and why are you wearing this color. How does it matter to you Sudhir? It matters Riya i am still your husband and i love you please. Oh! you love me and what about the other women of your coffee evenings? Riya, my dear. Please Sudhir don't talk to me. Just leave me alone. Enough , i won't let you treat him so badly. Shaken Riya looked up. . Who are you?  and how dare you enter my house? With this as Riya moved to push the girl away Sudhir caught her hand. How many times Riya will you throw the child out from your life. Hearing child, Riya stopped still. She looked again at the girl, must be around 16,  her eyes were of the same color as hers; and her hair same texture.

Suddenly her past struck her and she fainted. Juhi rushed to her mother's aid and Sudhir to his wife. They supported her and made her lie down on bed. Mumma head is hot; i think she has fever. Hmm.. let's us just put a blanket over her and let her get some sleep. Come, you must be famishing, i will cook something for you Juhi. Around 10, Riya woke up hearing noises from the kitchen. She went there, and caressed Juhi's hair. Beta, oh mom.. and they both hugged. When Riya was 17 years old, she had fallen in love with his neighbour son, and was stupid enough to have unsafe sex. Finding herself pregnant and ashamed of her act she left her home in delhi and got a job in mumbai. There she stayed with her friend, and gave birth to a daughter whom she left near an orphaned ashram and never looked back. Then after a few years she met Sudhir and got married to him. What Riya never told Sudhir was that she came to knew much later that she can now never be pregnant and she also hid from him the fact about having a daughter earlier. Where as Sudhir has never lied to her. Riya couldn't meet Sudhir's eye. Sensing her embarrassment, he went and just hugged her close, Juhi joined the two.

Didi, what you are still hugging your unfaithful hudband! and who is this girl? Riya, looked up at her fanatic over caring sister Ruchi and looking back at Suhir and Juhi, they all three started laughing.  

Story 1 - Love is Friendship

Uma was in hurry, today was her last Nursing exam and she had to reach college on time at any cost. She was riding very fast and didn't see a truck coming from other direction at a full speed. Before she could slow down the truck ran over her. Everything blinded for days, and when she opened her eyes till then she had lost her both legs.

Days past, months went away but her tears didn't dry up. Seems like she didn't just lost her legs but her self esteem, her never say die attitude, her smile all were crushed by that fateful truck. Uma's life was full of struggles and hardships. Being the only daughter of her parents, who were not much educated she knew from the mere age of 10 that she had to always take care of them. They had none beside than her to look upto. Her clearing the BA exam was a dream they were all dreaming and hoping for a good life ahead with her securing a decent nursing job at the Apollo hospital; the biggest in their city.

Knock knock, Uma stirred a bit. No body was at home during this time of the day. Her mother went out to temple; and father to talk to authorities to allow Uma to complete her degree. Knock knock, Uma shouted whose it? No reply came. Knock knock, pestered by the sound she got up from her bed; sat down on her wheel chair, and dragged her body to the door. With a vengeance she opened the door, standing in front of her was Amit, in army uniform. Uma just didn't knew where to hide her sorry self. In haste she hurried up and turned the wheel chair; but before she could balance she topple down on the floor. Amit rushed to her aid, she hid her face and started sobbing uncontrollably. Amit gently picked Uma in his strong arms and took her inside her room. He sat on her bed with Uma in his lap not allowing her to wriggle out. Uma just hid her embarrassment by hiding her face in his chest and the only voice in the room was of her sobs.

Few years back Amit, her best friend had got selected in Army, after his graduation. He has been away for quite some time now. He learnt about Uma's accident when one early morning he received phone call from Uma's mother. He rushed to her friend's aide immediately. During the whole journey Amit remembered how Uma never left his side when he himself had lost both legs in a ambush with naxalites when he by chance stood on a land mine. If it wouldn't have been Uma's never say die attitude Amit's army life was over before it could get started. Not only Uma ensured Amit's well being by taking care of his health she also knocked down doors of every authority to ensure his future. It was only due to her persistent requests that Amit still has a job with Army and now as a knowledge leader in Map reading exercises.  Over a period of time, he was also able to get the Jaipuria foot; which gave a whole new meaning to his life as he could walk again easily life before.

Beta would you like some team, Uma's mother asked. The sun was long set and the sky was full of stars. Both Amit and Uma looked up and saw auntie standing with two cups of tea. Amit nodded, and she came and kept them on the side table and again went out. Amit, it is alright, you can put me down now, i am done with crying for today. Amit smiled at her and she smiled back at him. They both sipped their tea in silence.
Uma, you don't worry now, I am here for you. And you will be able to overcome this. You cannot loose hope now, when you never lost it for me, how can you do this to yourself. Uma smiled sadly, well you always are brave enough for others but when it comes to oneself, you tend to pity more than come out of it. True Amit said. Then suddenly Amit got up. Its late now, you eat something and go to sleep. I will see you tomorrow and with that he left.

Next day Amit met Uma's doctor early in the morning. He came to know unlike him Uma can never use artificial legs ever. His only hope to ensure Uma's recovery got lost. 2-3 days passed Uma was getting all tensed up. It was unlike Amit to be home and not come and meet Uma. Just as she was about to end her daily morning prayers, knock knock she heard. She dragged her wheel chain and opened the door. Amit was there, but sitting in a wheel chair like her, no longer standing tall and strong; with a flower bouquet in his hands. Uma closed the door on his face and went inside. After a while Amit dragged his wheel chair in Uma's room and closed the door.

What are you trying to proof Amit, Uma asked in an angry voice. Nothing, i just want to tell you, that you are not alone in your misfortunes. From today i will also be like you. If you cannot have legs than i am also fine without them anyways who needs them! Uma couldn't believe what crap she was listening to. Amit have you lost your mind? she asked in an angry tone. Well, not me but seems you have surely lost your mind Uma. What happened to the strong girl; always positive whom I left behind. This is your strength. Always ready to lecture others; always ready to fight for others but when it came to her ownself she only feels sorry. I am sad i am your friend, you are such a hypocrite! You don't know anything Amit. ya true, i dont have to know anything. But i know you Uma, look into my eyes. Is this loss such a bug loss than your dreams. Than all the hardwork you have done in your life. Will you let this situation win over your never say die attitude. She wheeled herself away into the verandah. Amit, please leave me alone. Ok Uma, if that is what you wish. And please get back your legs. Well Uma not until i get my friend back.

Uma, uma.. please wake up uma. Sun rays hit her face. Amit was sitting near her gently caressing her face. Uma i am leaving today; there has been a naxalite attack in my base and i have been asked to return to duty. I am keeping my legs here with you to give you a reason, to fight, fight with me Uma, so that i can wear them back.I hope i see you soon. Before Uma could say anything Amit left. She never saw him again. The naxalites caputred him and took him to their training camp. But this didn't broke down Uma's resolution. She had now completed her degree and joined the handicap wing of the Apollo hospital.

Knock knock, it was late in night. Uma sat in her automatic wheel chair which the hospital gifted her for her more easy movements. There standing in full was Amit, with a wide grin on his face. But you were kidnapped! Well  Uma, you forgot you prayed hard enough to God for me to come back and meet you once again. But you said that you won't use your artificial legs until i become alright. Uma, my dear people say stupid things in love they dont mean them. What! Uma looked up suddenly at him, Amit who was now on his knees. Marry me Uma and they both had a wide grin on their faces.

Introduction

It was the time of the day when i sit in my garden chair, with knitting needles in my hand. My bottle of water near by and a book to read. Jamie, my lab is lying down warmly near my toes. Cool breeze is blowing and the view of the snow capped mountains is breath taking. Chirping of birds and fresh water stream gushing sounds provide just enough soothing effect on my tired mind. The day had been hectic with usual work of school. Specially today as it was the last day before summer vacation begins tomorrow. A much needed break for everyone i believe.

As i was humming an old mohd rafi song coming on fm, a lound thump broke up my reverie. I looked up and saw my grand child Sneha all in tears, and blabbering something like , that bastard what does he think of himself, and with this she just fell down and put her head in my lap and sobbed. Jamie who was in deep slumber got up and went and snuggled close to Sneha; who now bury her face in his fur. It allowed me enough space to get up and fetch a glass of water. Some moment passed and eventually her continuous sobs now had a break, i saw this as a moment to intervene and chinned her head up.

Her deep blue eye were all red now, and cheeks pink. I patted her head gave her the glass, which she gulped down with relief. So are you ready to talk, i asked her. She just shifted her head in a no. So are you ready to listen, i tried again, and she gave no response. I took this as an opportunity to speak, which i have been awaiting the day i saw my lovely girl in love the first time. It was an evening like this, and i was watering the plants, and Sneha came and hugged me from behind all excited and full of life. She kept talking about her new friend Samar, and how he makes her laugh. Love, in first few months is so similar and so pure. I felt happy for my child and prayed it to last long.

But her generation lived in the world where you get instant coeffee, home delivered pizza, and fast track watches. Even in movies what was it yeh jawani, the hero propogates to have speed in life.. well each generation as its own gimmick and the older ones should learn to just sit back and enjoy it then become active participants. Sneha, I asked cautiously, do you have time to listen to some stories i have been waiting to share with you. She was patting Jamie and replied hmmm.. So not to waste any time, here i began ..